NEWS

Cork man Mitchell making big impression in Major League Rugby in the US

He came through the relatively small club of Youghal RFC in Cork, attended Midleton College, where rugby wasn’t the biggest deal, then moved into the AIL ranks to battle for recognition.

There was an appearance for a Munster Development team in 2016, but no follow-up from the province. He had interest from clubs in the English Championship, some UK universities and a French outfit last year, but nothing concrete came through.

Undeterred, Mitchell – who was a centre or fullback up until just four years ago – kept chasing his dream and improving himself as a player.

His mindset was always ambitious and even the fact that he was born without fingers on one of his hands has never held him back.

Many people would see it as a major impediment to playing a professional sport, but the impressive 24-year-old views it in a positive light.

“I was born without any fingers on my left hand and when I was 18 or 19 months old, I had pretty complex surgery where they took the second toe from each foot and basically transplanted them onto my left hand,” explains Mitchell.